Trillian 5.1 Excellent, free multiprotocol and device App

Published on December 28, 2011 By DrJBHL In Personal Computing

Trillian is a multiprotocol im app for Windows, MacOS X, Android, iOS, Blackberry OSand can connect to: AIM,Yahoo IM, Windows Live messenger, IRC, Bonjour, Novell GroupWise messenger, XMPP and Skype networks and to Facebook, Twitter, LinkdIn, FourSquare and MySpace as well as to POP3, IMAP, Hotmail, WindowsLive mail, Gmail and Yahoo mail. All have their own colors and indicators and icons. You can use pictures of your contacts as well.

You can create multiple connections to the same service, and can also group connections under separate identities to prevent confusion.

All your contacts are gathered under the same, unified contact list. Your contacts are not bound to their own IM service groups, and can be dragged and dropped freely.

Trillian exists in a ‘free’ version (you get some pop up ads in the messenger window – hint: just mouseover until you get the underline to appear and click on that) as well as the Pro version for a fee of $12 a year you get cloud storage of your messaging as well as a spiffier interface.

I use it, and I like it. I see no minuses to it. You choose what you connect to on booting the app, and subsequently. You can have all channels on, or just one or two. That’s up to you.

You can start your chat on your desktop or laptop and continue on your phone….

Trillian has extensive help info, support and forums, at the website below, as well as more screen shots.

You can read about it and download it here: http://www.trillian.im/

Comments

Larry Kuperman

on Dec 28, 2011

Of all the things that I like about this program, the one that I appreciate most is the simplicity. I recently re-installed Windows. Downloaded and installed Trillian; logged on and all my accounts were right there!

I can go from PC to PC and still have everything.

You can, so I understand, do the same with Pidgin, but the configuration, especially for Skype, was much harder.

Anything that makes my life easier, I appreciate.

Thanks as always for the write-up, Doc.

Starcandy

on Dec 28, 2011

Thanks for the info, Doc.

I've known of Trillian for a while, but never used it before now. Does it have any issues with connectivity (dropping calls or logging out unexpectedly), especially Skype as I use that on a permanent basis? Do I need to have my messenger programs running at the same as Trillian? Can you use webcams with it, as that's very important to me? Finally, and sorry for the Spanish Inquisition (nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition), but do you use the free or paid for version?

tazgecko

on Dec 28, 2011

Sits into the background keeping me updated with all the news, tweets and friendly chats for the day. Simple and comprehensive.

Starcandy

reply 2

Do I need to have my messenger programs running at the same as Trillian?

No, you sign in with Trillian

Starcandy

reply 2

Can you use webcams with it, as that's very important to me?

Yes

I use the paid version Starcandy ... worth every cent

Starcandy

on Dec 28, 2011

Thanks, taz! I may give it a look as it does sound useful.

RedneckDude

on Dec 28, 2011

It is a useful program, but in my experience, it lacks some of the cool emotes, audibles, and some of the other functions found in Yahoo Messenger and Skype.

But then again, it is skinnable...woot! Nice post Doc.

roflmfaoo

on Dec 28, 2011

Yes, I too use the paid version. Worth every penny. Skinning does require knowledge of XML though. Avion 5 is a good starting point.

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!